DETERMINATION OF ANIONS IN AMINE SOLUTIONS FOR SOUR GAS TREATMENT

In sour gas treatment, various amine solutions are used to remove the acidic components H2S and CO2. These components are absorbed by the amine solution and stripped during amine regeneration. Other anions (contaminants) tie up the amine by forming heat-stable salts (HSS) which cannot be regenerated. HSS also can be formed from amine degradation by-products, i.e., organic acids. Hence the acid gas-carrying capacity of the amine will be reduced. HSS also can promote corrosion and cause foaming problems. Therefore, the determination of anions in amine solutions is very important. Using the analytical columns IonPac AS9-SC and AS10, it is possible to determine all anions of interest by ion chromatography.